{"id":868786,"date":"2026-04-18T00:42:19","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T00:42:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/868786\/"},"modified":"2026-04-18T00:42:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T00:42:19","slug":"lsus-mansoor-delane-called-perfect-draft-fit-for-vikings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/868786\/","title":{"rendered":"LSU\u2019s Mansoor Delane Called \u2018Perfect\u2019 Draft Fit for Vikings"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Mansoor\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Mansoor Delane of the LSU Tigers speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Draft Combine.<\/p>\n

The Minnesota Vikings<\/a> are in a transitional phase, trying to undo some of the mistakes of their recent past, and adding a player like Mansoor Delane<\/a> in the 2026 draft would go a long way towards that end.<\/p>\n

Minnesota has had some misses in the secondary, including ones out of their control<\/a>, leading them to add Isaiah Rodgers<\/a> and Jeff Okudah<\/a> to Byron Murphy<\/a> last offseason.<\/p>\n

Adding Delane this offseason could help the Vikings get back on track.<\/p>\n

Vikings Urged to Draft LSU\u2019s Mansoor Delane\"\"<\/p>\n

GettyMansoor Delane #4 of the Louisiana State Tigers<\/a> celebrates a pass defense during the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks.<\/p>\n

USA Today\u2019s Ayrton Ostly suggested Delane for the Vikings, picking him as the \u201cperfect prospect\u201d for Minnesota in the 2026 draft.<\/p>\n

\u201cDelane is as ready-made to contribute from Day 1 as any cornerback in this class,\u201d Ostly wrote<\/a> on April 17, saying Delane would be a \u201cmuch-needed boost\u201d to the Vikings\u2019 versatile secondary. \u201cHe\u2019s a long, technically sound cornerback who ran well in his Pro Day to dissuade any athleticism concerns.\u201d<\/p>\n

NFL.com\u2019s Lance Zierlein compared<\/a> Delane to Quinyon Mitchell<\/a> of the Philadelphia Eagles<\/a>. He cited Delane\u2019s ability in press coverage, toughness, and ability to adjust to plays on the fly when on the field, saying he has \u201clockdown potential.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Ringer\u2019s Todd McShay also projected a high ceiling for Delane.<\/p>\n

\u201cDelane is an NFL-ready corner who should step into a starting role as a rookie and is capable of developing into a team\u2019s no. 1 corner early in his career,\u201d McShay wrote<\/a> in his pre-draft profile. \u201cHis instincts, versatility, and toughness compare well to 2022 first-round pick Trent McDuffie, who also has short arms and small hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, the Vikings may be well out of position to land Delane in the draft unless they are willing and able to move up.<\/p>\n

The Athletic\u2019s Austin Mock ranked<\/a> Delane seventh in his \u201cconsensus\u201d big board on April 14.<\/p>\n

ESPN\u2019s Mel Kiper Jr. projected <\/a>Delane to the Cincinnati Bengals<\/a> with the 10th overall pick in his mock draft on April 15. In either case, the Vikings would have to make a significant move to secure Delane.<\/p>\n

Vikings Balancing Cap vs Competing\"Mansoor<\/p>\n

GettyMansoor Delane #4 of the LSU Tigers after breaking up a pass against the Arkansas Razorbacks.<\/p>\n

The Vikings own nine picks in the draft, which begins on April 23. According to DraftTek\u2019s trade value chart<\/a>, the Vikings\u2019 current pick (18th overall) is worth 900 points.<\/p>\n

Pick No. 9, owned by the Kansas City Chiefs<\/a>, is worth 1,350 points.<\/p>\n

The Vikings would need to add another 450 points (their second-rounder is worth 410 points alone) to match value in a trade, per the chart. That assumes the Chiefs even want to part ways with the pick instead of adding a top-10 player to their roster.<\/p>\n

Moreover, the Vikings would again be shorting themselves on adding cost-controlled talent to a roster that had them over the salary cap entering the offseason.<\/p>\n

However, this is also a team that won 14 games two seasons ago.<\/p>\n

They hope to have addressed their quarterback issues with Kyler Murray<\/a> in free agency, and could view a bold move like a trade up for Delane as putting a finishing touch on their group rather than exclusively taking a volume-based approach in the draft.<\/p>\n

The Vikings signed James Pierre<\/a> in free agency this offseason, further diminishing their need for a cornerback, but Delane\u2019s potential could be too tantalizing to pass up trying to land.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tJosh Buckhalter<\/a> covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Vikings\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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